Tea for two ... or more

World Tea Expo, the most prominent annual event for the tea industry, is gearing up to showcase the very best teas and tea-related products from the global marketplace, including the winners of the 2013 Best New Product Awards. The conference and trade show, co-located with Healthy Beverage Expo, takes place June 7 – 9 in Las Vegas, Nev. at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The 2013 World Tea Expo Best New Product Award winners include:

TeaPops
By DeeBee's Organic Frozen Treats
Tea as an Ingredient Winner
DeeBee's Organic Frozen Treats' TeaPops are the world's first tea-based popsicles. The frozen "pops" are available in green, white and black teas, as well as rooibos. Flavors include Cherry Berry, Classic Iced Tea, Mango Tango, Mint-A-Licious and Tea-Na Colada. Visit www.deebeesorganics.com.

TEAS' TEA Lattes
By ITO EN
Open Class Winner
The new guilt-free TEAS' TEA Lattes from ITO EN are a healthier version of traditionally rich lattes. Authentically brewed with premium, whole loose-leaf tea leaves and nonfat milk, each bottle – in Black Tea Latte and Matcha Latte – is only 80 calories per serving with zero fat grams. Visit www.itoen.com.

Chrysler has best February sales in five years

• Best February sales since 2008
• 35th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains
• Dodge, Ram Truck, and FIAT brands each post sales increases in February compared with same month a year ago
• Dodge brand sales increase 30 percent; best February sales since 2007 and largest year-over-year percentage increase of any Chrysler Group brand
• Dodge Dart sales increase 8 percent month over month; best sales month since June launch last year
• Dodge Dart, Ram 1500, Fiat 500 Abarth, and SRT Viper each earn a MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award in February
• Dodge Challenger muscle car sets all-time sales record; sales up 34 percent in February
• Dodge Avenger mid-size sedan sets sales record for month of February with 52 percent sales gain
• Dodge Journey full-size crossover sets sales record for month of February; sales up 21 percent
• Dodge Durango sales up 38 percent; best February sales since 2006
• Ram pickup truck sales up 3 percent; best February sales since 2007
• New 2014 Ram ProMaster full-size van debuts at Chicago Auto Show with best-in-class features focused on the commercial customer
• Ram Truck brand to build industry’s only light-duty diesel pickup beginning in the third quarter
• Ram Truck brand is the most-improved brand in the J.D. Power and Associates 2013 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study
• Fiat 500 sets sales record for month of February with 2 percent sales gain
• Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan sets sales record for the month of February with 18 percent increase
• Jeep® brand unveils the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, its all-new mid-size sport-utility vehicle
• Jeep Patriot compact SUV sets sales record for month of February with 24 percent sales gain
• Jeep Wrangler sets sales record for month of February; sales up 8 percent
• Jeep Compass sales up 36 percent; best February sales since 2007
  
   

Wireless Industry related job growth still predicted

As more and more consumers switch to smartphones, tablet computers and wireless applications, the U.S. wireless industry is doing well, but hiring was reported as down according to U.S. Labor Department figures released earlier this month. There are about 20,000 fewer jobs than when the recession ended in June 2009 and 2,000 fewer than a year ago.

While that may seem like bleak news, the customer service aspect of the increased sales will lead to a continued need for call center process outsource providers to exist and prosper. With the similarity of electronic devices between carriers, cross training call center employees is something that is already being done.

Back when I worked at a call center several years ago, customer service staff were cross trained to provide technical support for several different cable providers. That can be done in many industries, including wireless.

Call center operations in the U.S. as well as overseas continues to grow. Recent research conducted by IBM shows there are now more call center agents in the Philippines than there are in India.

The Contact Center Association of the Philippines estimates that 350,000 Filipinos work in call centers, compared to 330,000 Indians.

Hard Rock Cafe hit hard ...

The Hard Rock Cafe International (USA), Inc. ("Hard Rock Cafe") was hit with three separate class action lawsuits - one in Miami, one in Hollywood, and one in Key West - for the company's alleged failure to pay servers and bartenders proper minimum wages required underFlorida law as a result of tip sharing practices. Each case was brought under the minimum wage provisions of Florida's Constitution, which was passed by citizen's initiative and became effective as ofMay 2, 2005. Plaintiffs are represented by the law firms of Burr & Smith, LLP (www.burrandsmithlaw.com) and Lichten & Liss-Riordan, P.C. (www.llrlaw.com).

The putative class actions related to tip sharing practices at the Miami, Hollywood, and Key West Hard Rock Cafes were filed respectively in Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Monroe County. Each complaint alleges that Hard Rock Cafe servers and bartenders were paid less than minimum wage during the period January 26, 2006 until approximately July 2009. The complaints assert that Hard Rock Cafe attempted to pay the servers and bartenders less than minimum wages while taking a tip credit allowable under Florida and federal law only when the servers and bartenders are allowed to retain all of their tips or where a legal tip pooling arrangement is instituted among employees "who customarily and regularly receive tips." The complaints allege that the servers and bartenders improperly shared their tips with individuals who were employed as expeditors. The complaints assert that the expeditors at each respective restaurant are not customarily and regularly tipped employees, but instead are kitchen employees who are responsible for ensuring food is prepared and garnished properly. The complaints allege that Hard Rock Cafe was not entitled to the tip credit because the servers and bartenders did not retain all their tips and paid a portion of their tips to expeditors.

Faygo Beverages releases new flavors and tastings

Faygo Beverages will give its 22,243 Facebook fans the opportunity to taste its refreshing lineup of nine new flavors beginning Memorial Day Weekend when the Faygo Flavor Team hits the streets.

The Faygo Flavor Team will make surprise appearances at various locations throughout Detroit startingSaturday, May 28 through Saturday, June 4 to give away free samples of the newest Ohana and Faygo flavors.  Each time the team arrives at its location, it will "Check In" utilizing the Facebook application to notify Facebook fans of their location. Fans and the general public who visit the team on location will be treated to full-size samples and Faygo paraphernalia while supplies last.

"Faygo means fun and our Flavor Team was created to take that fun to the streets," said Al Chittaro, executive vice president of Faygo Beverages.  "Our summer lineup of new flavors brings Faygo's total to 56 different sodas and noncarbonated beverages and truly means Faygo has something for every taste."

The popular non-carbonated Ohana flavors will be introduced in a new one liter size. Previously, the only beverages sold in the one liter size were tonics, club soda and sparkling waters.

The new Ohana and Faygo flavors are:

• Faygo Diet Peach – 20 & 24 oz. bottle
• Faygo Pineapple Watermelon – 20 & 24 oz. bottle
• Ohana Pink Lemonade – 1 liter bottle
• Ohana Blueberry Lemonade – 1 liter bottle
• Ohana Pineapple Orange – 1 liter bottle
• Ohana Raspberry Iced Tea – 1 liter bottle
• Ohana Peach Melon – 1 liter bottle
• Ohana Peach Iced Tea – 1 liter bottle
• Ohana Cherry Grapefruit – 1 liter bottle

SUBWAY® Restaurant Chain To Open 2,000 North American Locations In 2011

Business is booming when it comes to Subway.  "To continue to provide career opportunities to entrepreneurs and offer our world famous submarine sandwiches, which includes a wide range of healthier meal options, we will be aggressively looking for sites and ready to make deals," says Chris Kan, Training and Business Promotion Specialist for Subway Real Estate, LLC. "We have a proven system in place and an ever increasing consumer base. We will have more than 100 Subway developers, field staff and leasing specialists from all across North Americawill be attending the event."

The SUBWAY® chain is growing while others are not, and continues forge ahead with new opportunities in traditional shopping centers, mall and free standing locations as well as non-traditional venues such as hospitals, colleges, sports arenas and airports. Since this past January, the SUBWAY® chain has opened nearly 700 new stores in 50 countries, 43 U.S. states and 8 Canadian provinces, which equates to approximately 840,000 square feet of prime commercial retail space. In total, SUBWAY® franchisees lease more than 37 million square feet of property around the globe.

Cambridge team wins Hult Global Case Challenge

 Hult International Business School today announced that the University of Cambridge team from the United Kingdom has been selected as the Global Final Winner of its 2nd Annual Hult Global Case Challenge.  The competition, held yesterday at a W Hotel in New York, focused on developing solutions to accelerate clean water access and sanitation around the world. The Hult Global Case Challenge is a Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action. President Clinton delivered the closing keynote address and presented awards to the winning team.  Hult provided the Global Winner with a $1 million prize, which will be made available to Water.org, an organization co-founded by Gary White and actor Matt Damon, along with the winning idea.  

Quack is back

 Following a month-long search that included celebrities, actors, professional voice over artists and individuals from the general public, Aflac today introduced 36-year-old Dan McKeague of Hugo, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis, as the new voice of the Aflac Duck. The married father of three submitted his audition online and was informed that he had been selected after a review of more than 12,500 live and online auditions.

"I have long admired people who can act and make the most of their voice and have tried to emulate them," McKeague said. "I want to thank Aflac for the incredible honor of voicing the greatest icon in corporate America and representing a company that not only leads its industry but also leaves a positive social imprint in every community it serves."

Jobs for the Future launches new publications

 Jobs for the Future (JFF) today released three new publications examining innovative ways community colleges are serving their students, communities, and emerging workforce needs.

Informed by research from the MetLife Foundation Community College Excellence Award program and other JFF initiatives, the briefs highlight effective examples of preparation in mathematics and for careers in health care and the green economy. Each offers new perspectives on the issue of college and career readiness.

"Across the nation, community colleges are leaders in providing educational and career opportunities for students of all ages and supporting local economic development," said Dennis White, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation. "The profiles of innovation in these publications provide good news for students and the future of America's workforce."

120EX announced by Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today confirmed the development of 102EX, a one-off, fully electric powered Phantom, to debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1, 2011.  The car will tour during 2011, serving as a test bed to gather a bank of research data which will be crucial in informing future decisions on alternative drive-trains for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

"We have engineered the world's first battery electric vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment," said CEOTorsten Muller-Otvos, speaking from the company's headquarters in Goodwood. "With this vehicle, we begin an exploration into alternative drive-trains, seeking clarity on which alternative technologies may be suitable to drive Rolls-Royce motor cars of the future."

Rolls-Royce produces cars that represent the pinnacle in luxurious motoring for the world's most discerning customers.  With 102EX, also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric (EE), it is the company's intention to carefully test the opinions and reactions to alternative drive-train options of a range of stakeholders including owners, enthusiasts, members of the public and the media.  

Google, Best Buy, Sony Ally Against Big Cable

Here's one to watch, closely -Thanks to Wired:

You know there’s going to be a showdown over some communications technology issue when Google, Best Buy, Mitsubishi, Sony, TiVo and two other big companies start a new group with the word “alliance” in it.

Sure enough, the septet has announced that they’ve united to defend the Federal Communications Commission’s new proposal for an “AllVid” standard that would make it easier for consumers to watch both pay television and the video they get from their home broadband network on the same screen.

Thus has been born the “AllVid Tech Company Alliance” — named in honor of the FCC’s suggested gateway interface.

“It is essential for the Commission to break down the wall separating the home network from [pay TV] networks — not just poke a few holes in it, or rely on progress on the peripheries,” the Alliance wrote to the FCC on Wednesday. “The seeds for real competition must emerge in chips, technologies, and interfaces that can be organic to tens of millions of products, services, and consumer uses — not just those presently conceived, but those that innovative minds, and users who can select and adapt their own devices, can conceive.”

Borders Bankruptcy Sales

Under authority of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, store closing sales will begin on Saturday, February 19th at 200 Borders book stores in 35 states and Puerto Rico. Over $350 million of inventory including books, magazines, music and movie media, calendars, posters and more will be liquidated.

Discounts from 20% to 40% with limited exceptions are offered on all merchandise at every closing location. Consumers will benefit from very significant savings on the entire stock of books in every category, including new releases, best sellers, text books, rare and collectible books and children's books. There are also substantial price reductions on, thousands of music CDs and video DVDs, calendars, posters, puzzles and arts and crafts items.

7 Skills Required for the "New Reality" of Corporate Leadership in 2011

 "As companies move from a 'survival' mentality to focus on growth and longer-term investment, many are finding that they need to revaluate their CEO," says Stephen A. Miles, Vice Chairman of Heidrick & Struggles and head of the firm's Leadership Advisory Services. "The new reality of post-crisis leadership – driven by a greater understanding of risk and the interconnectedness of the global economy – requires an evolving set of skills.

"Boards of directors are demanding that their CEO possess particular qualities to help lead their companies into the new era. Our experience coaching CEOs and advising boards around the globe shows that companies are willing to make a bold change at the top, even if that means having to go to the external market and search for a new chief executive. We anticipate this trend will continue through 2011 and into 2012, unless there is another catastrophic event to send companies back into survival mode."

"Shared Norms for the New Reality" is the theme of this year's World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, which begins next week in Davos, Switzerland.

7 CEO Skills Needed for the "New Reality"

"To arm themselves for growth, boards are looking for seven specific criteria in their potential CEOs," says Mr. Miles. Those criteria are:

Gold market still holds interest

Not long ago when Gold Bullion was at it's highest price, everyone was talking about gold and other precious metals as an investment strategy. While some of the discussion has cooled just a bit, there are still many investment experts that advise their clients to buy Gold.

While some argue the fiat money system, others opt for Bullion as a hedge should there be any kind of a market failure. It's fairly well established that should some type of a major financial crisis hit that gold and other precious metals could play a role in keeping your financial status stable.

There are also other products out there like the Gold IRA. As your financial planner about it and do your research on the number of companies out there, like Regalgoldcoins.com that specialize in precious metals. The chart below shows you the prices of gold:

Gold Price

Hard Rock Cafe employees file suit

Two Hard Rock Cafe International (Orlando), Inc. ("Hard Rock") employees, who worked in the Hard Rock Cafe at Universal Studios in Orlando, today filed a class action lawsuit against Hard Rock for the company's alleged failure to pay minimum wages that were required under Florida law. The Orlando Hard Rock Cafe is the largest Hard Rock Cafe in the world. The case was brought under the minimum wage provisions of Florida's Constitution, which was passed by citizen's initiative and became effective as of May 2, 2005.

The putative class action was filed in Circuit Court in Orange County, Florida. The complaint alleges that Hard Rock's servers and bartenders were paid less than minimum wage during the period January 14, 2006 until approximately July 2009. The complaint asserts that Hard Rock attempted to pay the servers and bartenders less than minimum wages while taking a tip credit allowable under Florida and federal law only when the servers and bartenders are allowed to retain all of their tips or where a legal tip pooling arrangement is instituted among employees "who customarily and regularly receive tips." The complaint alleges that servers and bartenders improperly shared their tips with individuals who were employed as expediters. The complaint asserts that the expediters at the Orlando Hard Rock Cafe are not customarily and regularly tipped employees; instead, they are kitchen employees who are responsible for ensuring food is prepared and garnished properly. The Complaint alleges that Hard Rock was not entitled to the tip credit because servers and bartenders did not retain all their tips and paid a portion of their tips to expediters.

Ford announces plans for Kansas City Assembly Plant

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today announced a further commitment to U.S. manufacturing with plans to build a new vehicle at its Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri after Ford Escape production moves to Ford's Louisville Assembly Plant and retooling of the Kansas City facility is complete.

Ford will invest $400 million in the Kansas City plant to install a new body shop, new tooling and other upgrades. In addition, the company has committed to retain 3,750 full-time jobs at the plant – consistent with current employment levels. This includes the positions required to assemble the Ford F-150, which will continue to be built at the facility on a separate line.

Auto Show Charity raised $2.6 million

The 2011 North American International Auto Show Charity Preview black tie gala continues to be one of the top single-night fundraising events in the nation as nearly 10,500 guests helped raise $2.6 million for local children's charities.

"Our passion as the Motor City transcends a love of cars," said NAIAS Chairman Barron Meade. "The automotive community and the city band together each year during the NAIAS Charity Preview for the greater good of our future, and that is our children. Thousands of children benefit from this event as a result of that sense of community."

Support by sponsors allow for a great event for attendees, and as a result, the maximum benefit for children in the metro area. The sponsors of the 2011 NAIAS Charity Preview included:

• RBS/Charter One: Presenting Sponsor; marking its fourth year of support.
• Delta Air Lines, Comcast and MGM Grand Detroit: Sponsors of the VIP Ribbon Cutting Party.
• Art Van Furniture: Special Additional Support.

Charity Preview attendees had the special opportunity to enjoy cutting-edge concept and production vehicles up close on the showroom floor while enjoying a Motor City musical favorite, "The Rockets."

Since its inception in 1976, Charity Preview has raised nearly $82 million for children's charities in metroDetroit, over $37 million of which was raised in the last seven years alone. Medical treatment, clothing and support services for local kids in need all are made possible through the purchase of Charity Preview tickets.

Beneficiaries of the Charity Preview include: Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan; Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit; The Children's Center; Judson Center; The Detroit Institute for Children; Think Detroit PAL; March of Dimes; The Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation; and the DADA Charitable Foundation Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

About the North American International Auto Show

Entering its 23rd year as an international event, the NAIAS (www.naias.com) is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, providing unparalleled access to the automotive products, people and ideas that matter most - up close and in one place. One of the largest media events in North America, the NAIAS is the only auto show in the United States to earn an annual distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for highlights and updates!

Press Preview - Monday-Tuesday, January 10-11, 2011

Industry Preview - Wednesday-Thursday, January 12-13, 2011

Charity Preview - Friday, January 14, 2011

Public Show - Saturday-Sunday, January 15-23, 2011

Retail sales up 6th consecutive month

According to figures released today by the U.S. Department of Commerce, retail sales grew again in December for the sixth consecutive month, totaling more than $380 billion. December's total retail sales exceeded monthly sales figures from November 2007, the industry's highest month on record.

Monthly retail sales figures for December were up 0.6 percent over November and 7.9 percent over December 2009. Retail sales excluding auto sales were up 0.5 percent over the previous month and 6.7 percent over December 2009.

Retailers and consumers weathered severe winter storms across the country in December, which likely interfered with some additional pre- and post-holiday shopping.

"While challenges certainly still remain, consumer spending is steadily returning to pre-recession levels," said RILA President Sandy Kennedy . "The economic uncertainty and consumer anguish that defined the past three years appears to be fading as increasing signs of growth and stability in the economy emerge."

With consumers in a position to spend more, retailers embraced a variety of strategies to earn shoppers business, including creative promotions and discounts and special deals both on-line and through new media and mobile channels. Also, retailers managed their inventory well during the holiday season, accurately predicting demand.

"There is good reason for optimism today in the retail industry. Those retailers that refined operations, prioritized innovation and invested wisely over the past three years, are poised to realize considerable growth in sales and profitability as consumer spending continues to rise," concluded Kennedy.

RILA is the trade association of the world's largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.

IT employment continues to grow

IT employment continued its pattern of month-over-month growth by adding 3500 jobs in December—representing the 13th consecutive monthly increase.

According to a monthly index of IT jobs developed and published by TechServe Alliance, a collaboration of IT services firms, clients, consultants and suppliers, in December, IT employment stood at 3,911,900 jobs; reflecting incremental growth of 0.1 percent. Along with December's positive news were upward revisions of both October's and November's IT employment numbers. On a year-over-year basis, IT employment was up 2.6 percent, approximately 100,000 jobs, compared to only a 0.9 percent increase in total non-farm employment.

"While still well short of regaining all of the positions that were lost during the downturn, the gain of 100,000 IT jobs in 2010 is most welcome news," commented Mark Roberts, CEO of TechServe Alliance. "Based upon both the government data, our own survey results and anecdotal reports of my member companies, 2011 promises to be a strong year for IT employment," added Roberts.

Taking plastic

If you have a website that you want to sell items directly, chances are you want to have a system in place to take credit card payments. It makes it faster and easier for customers to want to purchase something from you. The Payment Card Industry (PCI)'s Data Security Standard is a critical aspect of this which means finding pci compliant hosting is crucial. If you have a website that's not pci compliant, it makes it much more difficult to provide a secure credit card shopping experience for your customers.